Jay
Season 20 · Eliminated (6th–7th)
Where are they now
Jay Copeland is a singer and actor from Salisbury, Maryland. He released the single Unlonely on May 13, 2022, through 19 Recordings. His stage credits include Hairspray, Jesus Christ Superstar and a 2022 opening set for Patti LaBelle. From April 11 to 29, 2023 he was in the cast of Ain't Misbehavin' at Westport Country Playhouse.
Career
- 2020
Jay Copeland won the 2020 National Association of Teachers of Singing competition with Lost in the Wilderness.
- 2022
American Idol, season 20
Eliminated (6th–7th)
- 2022
In 2022, Jay Copeland was the opening act for Patti LaBelle in concert. His other stage credits include Seaweed in Hairspray and Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar.
- 2022
Jay Copeland received a Platinum Ticket in the American Idol season 20 auditions. One account calls it one of three platinum tickets. Another account calls him the first contestant to receive a Platinum Ticket.
- 2022
On May 10, 2022, Jay Copeland announced that the single Unlonely would come out that Friday. It was released on May 13, 2022, through 19 Recordings under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC.
- 2023
Jay Copeland made his Westport Country Playhouse debut in the cast of Ain't Misbehavin', which ran from April 11 to 29, 2023.
More milestones
- Date not documented
Before American Idol, Jay Copeland had been in graduate school on a fellowship for a master's degree in acting, after a bachelor's degree in theater and music.
- Date not documented
Jay Copeland is a Salisbury University alumnus of the class of 2020. He spent four years in its Music, Theatre and Dance program.
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | National Association of Teachers of Singing | NATS competition | Lost in the Wilderness | Won |
Sources
- American Idol: Jay Copeland Announces a New Single — Screen Rant, May 10, 2022.
- iTunes Search API: Jay Copeland Unlonely — Apple.
- Jay Copeland — Westport Country Playhouse.
- Ain't Misbehavin' — Westport Country Playhouse.
- List of American Idol finalists — Wikipedia, June 10, 2026.
- American Idol season 20 — Wikipedia, December 31, 2025.
- SU's Copeland Makes American Idol Debut March 21 — Salisbury University, March 17, 2022.
